Spirits high despite wet outing for Kamo parade

The man in the big red suit makes an appearance at the Kamo Christmas Parade on Saturday.

It may have rained on the parade but it didn't put a dampener on the Kamo community's Christmas spirit.

The streets of Kamo were packed with thousands of punters huddling under any shelter they could find to enjoy Saturday's annual Kamo Christmas Parade.

Organiser Colin Twyman said while the weather meant some performances organised for the new pre-parade entertainment could not safely do their routines, it did not hinder the rest of the parade.

"The weather wasn't as good as we hoped but I thought it was a damn good turnout. I say we at least had 2000 or 3000 people there," he said.

This year the parade featured an array of local community groups. There was Rock'n'Roll dancers, gymnasts, cheerleaders, four-legged friends and more. The winning float was created by the Rock'n'Roll Club, the second place winner was made by the Kamo Baptist Church and the third place winner - which Mr Twyman says was a hit with the crowd - was the Kamo Scouts' Flintstones float.

Following the parade the sun came out and a carnival was held at Kamo High School. During the carnival kids got to get up close with Santa himself.

Mr Twyman said the success of Santa's Grotto was thanks to a few students from the school who, like Santa's elves, were happy to lend a hand. Hundreds of people also attended Kerikeri's Christmas Parade on Saturday.